Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

Have your students ever been overwhelmed by the encyclopedic volumes of personality theories and research?Have they struggled to compare and synthesize these theories?

If so, look no further. Instead of using one of the historical, categorical, or research approaches to teaching personality, John M. Berecz maps theories and research onto a grid to facilitate comparison and analysis. Students evaluate and compare personality constructs in different zones of interdisciplinary research rather than learning theoretical terms or analyzing research findings related to a particular theory. The “Big Four” and “Tough Twins” questions are used to map each theory to demonstrate the commonalities of theories for students, reinforcing comparison, evaluation, and application to real life.

“Real world accessibility is one of the strengths of the book. The author makes a genuine effort to make theoretical concepts applicable to everyday experiences.”

-Trey Asbury, Campbell University

“The author’s attempt to foster critical thinking by contrasting the theories in terms of their differing levels of analysis is a nice change from ordinary personality psychology texts.”

-Christine Jumpeter, SUNY Albany

Pearson’s MySearchLab is the easiest way for students to master a writing or research project. In a recent student survey, the overwhelming majority of students are assigned writing and research projects, for which they would use research and citation tools if they were available to them. MySearchLab is a website available at no additional charge in a package with a Pearson textbook and is also available as a standalone product.

Review

“Another strength is that it constantly challenges students to apply theory to their own lives to solve “minor” problems…the text encourages the reader to think critically about all theories of personality, and for that matter, behavior. The text encourages students to evaluate one theory against another and to place it in relevant factor space. This is an exceptional book that I wish I had my hands on NOW.” --William McCown, University of Louisiana at Monroe

“Real world accessibility is one of the strengths of the book. The author makes a genuine effort to make theoretical concepts applicable to everyday experiences”. --Trey Asbury, Campbell University

“The author’s attempt to foster critical thinking by contrasting the theories in terms of their differing levels of analysis is a nice change from ordinary personality psychology texts. Another major strength here were the supplemental pieces of the chapters–-the boxes summarizing each theory and its parts, learning on the lighter side, and the websites. I am a big fan of the looking ahead section as well, since I think it serves to excite students about what is to come while at the same time providing focus and direction”. --Christine Jumpeter, SUNY Albany

“I found the reading of it rich and the scope of vision and scholarship phenomenal. This work IS, as the author mentions, his gift and he is gifted. The research is remarkable in its scope and depth. This is a significant scholarly accomplishment.” -Robin Lewis, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

“I found the author to be an extremely engaging writer. His use of analogies to common, everyday situations to describe or clarify a theoretical concept is very effectively executed. The author’s writing is very clear and coherent and definitely will facilitate a student’s reading comprehension.” --Karen L. Horner, Catawba College

"The author does a good job of triggering controversy by means of presentation of biographical and historical information and Freud’s words. Some are likely to strongly protest against Freud’s view of women and emphasis on sexuality, which can serve as a springboard of discussion. In short, the style is provocative in nature.” --Randal S. Jorgensen, Syracuse University

“The use of original source material is EXCELLENT.” --Kevin B. Hadley, Germanna Community College

Synopsis

Theories of Personality or Personality Psychology. In place of the historical, categorical, and research methods of teaching personality, Berecz maps theories and research onto a grid that allows readers to analyze and compare. Instead of learning theoretical terms or analyzing research findings related to a particular theory, students will evaluate and compare personality constructs in different zones of interdisciplinary research. This approach facilitates both comprehension and retention, making sense of an encyclopedic volume of theories and research.

Synopsis

MySearchLab provides students with a complete understanding of the research process so they can complete research projects confidently and efficiently. Students and instructors with an internet connection can visit www.MySearchLab.com and receive immediate access to thousands of full articles from the EBSCO ContentSelect database. In addition, MySearchLab offers extensive content on the research process itself–including tips on how to navigate and maximize time in the campus library, a step-by-step guide on writing a research paper, and instructions on how to finish an academic assignment with endnotes and bibliography.

Theories of Personality or Personality Psychology. In place of the historical, categorical, and research methods of teaching personality, Berecz maps theories and research onto a grid that allows readers to analyze and compare. Instead of learning theoretical terms or analyzing research findings related to a particular theory, students will evaluate and compare personality constructs in different zones of interdisciplinary research. This approach facilitates both comprehension and retention, making sense of an encyclopedic volume of theories and research.

About the Author

John M. Berecz received an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from American University in Washington, D.C., and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington. His doctoral research on smoking cessation won recognition in a nationwide competition conducted by the American Institutes for Research. Following his graduate studies, Dr. Berecz interned as a United States Public Health Fellow at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Boston, Subsequently, he pursued a professional career for over thirty years that has spanned both the classroom and the clinic. He taught Theories of Personality courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Additionally he taught Abnormal Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Behavior Modification, Research Methods, and Human Sexuality. In his clinical practice he has worked with children, couples, and families.

Dr. Berecz has published five books and nearly three dozen articles in professional journals. His research and writing have covered a broad range of topics, including: addictions, stuttering, Tourette Syndrome, sexual dysfunction, as well as the role of forgiveness in psychotherapy and counseling.

He is married to Deborah Bennett Berecz, who obtained her law degree at Notre Dame and uses Collaborative practice and mediation to ease the stress of divorce for families in transition. They have four grown sons and–at last count–five grandchildren. They make their home among the orchards and vineyards of southwestern Michigan. Dr. Berecz attenuates the stresses in his life with biking, skiing, swimming, racquetball, and spiritual meditation.

With this text, Professor Berecz, hopes to share his love of psychology and enthusiasm for Theories of Personality with new generations of student seekers.

Table of Contents

· Introduction: A Zonal Perspective

Chapter 1 A Zonal Approach to the Study of Personality

Chapter 2Ancient and Modern Compositional Theories of Personality: Hippocrates, Galen, Hebb, and Wilson